County bills in limbo after disputed vote

Written by BY Brooks Taylor
Monday, 13 October 2014 18:03

The waning moments of an otherwise fairly uneventful two and a half hour county Board of Supervisors meeting Monday – when the Board was considering claims – sparked controversy over a 2-2 deadlock, prompting a special or emergency meeting to be called for October 9 at 9 a.m.

The motion to approve all claims drew “ayes” from Nickson and Williams and a “no” vote from Dunn. Burnett got up from the table, saying, “I’m out of here,” and was crossing toward an exit door when the vote was called.

Tax levy approved prior to hearing

Written by BY Brooks Taylor
Monday, 13 October 2014 18:01

Was input from citizens on an FY2015 tax increase merely an exercise in futility? Did an audit report from Williams, Pitts and Beard raise red flags from fiscal year 2013? Is the county millions of dollars in the red in its general fund?

Yes, no and maybe.

The Tunica Times has learned that county leaders sent an order for a new tax levy to Tax Assessor Norma Anderson prior to its hearing on September 30. That order was dated September 15, Anderson says, and since October 1, her office has been using new millage rates to collect ad valorem taxes on vehicles.

The county Board of Supervisors approved a proposed tax rate of 84.08 mills on September 15 and set a hearing on the increase for Tuesday, September 30, via a legal notice that ran in this newspaper once on September 19.

Storm Front

Written by Tunica Times
Monday, 13 October 2014 17:59

Strong storms that moved through Tunica County on October 2 took the roof off a mobile home on 400 Road and caused damages to structures and farm equipment at Hollywood, near Walnut Lake and in the town of Tunica.

Blessing of the Pets

Written by BY Brooks Taylor
Monday, 13 October 2014 17:54

The Reverend Rose Boyd, Deacon (retired) gets a big kiss from schnauzer Laura Lea during the Blessing of the Animals at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany last Sunday, while owner Sherry Melton looks on.